By Amrisha Prashar
Whether in Portuguese, Yoruba or Creole, it doesn't matter. There's something incredibly infectious about the sounds that resonate from Africa and Latin America. You get hooked – which happened to my Nani.
And Delhi’s music scene is allowing for that. It’s becoming more of a cultural melting pot, not just with the variety of homegrown styles heard, but with the number of artists coming over. Last year, we had the pleasure of Buraka Som Sistema and Seun Kuti spreading Afro-love at BlueFrog; and local bands Negra Pradera and Pez Rodríguez y su Orquestra representing Latin Jazz as part of the Hauz Khas scene.
So in Dilli-fashion, I’ve put together a taste of my Afro-Brazilian sounds and influencers. If you bounce to them, I win.
Jorge Ben |
{Image courtesy: www.montreuxjazzlive.com}
A pioneer in Samba Soul. Originally from Rio and part of the famous Tropicalia movement - a Brazilian revolution in culture and sound. Others that have covered his work in the Black Soul scene span from Ella Fitzgerald to Talib Kweli. And it was the rawness of his voice on Carolina Carol Bela that got me, a track I've included in a mini-mix, together with fused samba + drum and bass= sambass.
Listen to the mix here | www.mixcloud.com/iamrisha/amrisha-jorge-ben-respect
Baile Funk |
{Image courtesy: thenewphiladelphia.com}
The epitome of bad-ass. Baile funk is pure, heavy, raucous bass that's reflected in the sounds, systems and the raves. Expect XXX-rated. The homegrown dancehall culture emerged from the Rio favelas in the mid-80s and mixes samba, rap, funk and roots in one. In the mix, I’ve featured a ‘Europeanized’ version of the genre that incorporates the core beats, together with EDM elements.
Listen to the mix here | www.mixcloud.com/iamrisha/amrisha-baile-bass
Lijadu Sisters |
{Image courtesy: www.songlines.co.uk}
You hear Afrobeat and you think of Fela. A legend in his own right, though these twin sisters from the same era {70s Nigeria} made a mark too. Their sounds combine Afrobeat with jazz, Memphis-style soul and a bit of punk…Blondie comes to mind. Their sounds feel like a super cool strut.
Listen to the mix here | www.mixcloud.com/iamrisha/amrisha-lijadu-soul-sista-love
About the Author | Amrisha hails from London, though has been a globetrotter, which is where her passion for tropical beats emerged. She spent some time in Mexico, Brazil and Uganda, where she collected records and returned to the UK to create a World Beat radio show. She now lives in Delhi, working at a design agency and promoting tropical bass sounds.
You can follow her music on: www.mixcloud.com/iamrisha